Each year more and more teenagers, as well as adults, will be told that they need braces. However, traditional metal braces are an expensive commitment, plus they are often painful and uncomfortable. But what if there was a better option? Luckily, there is. Invisalign for teens straightens teeth without the painful, expensive or even sometimes embarrassing process of braces. Before choosing Invisalign for yourself or your teen, there are a few things you need to know:
They Are a Commitment
You will need to wear your Invisalign for at least twenty-two hours a day. Plus, you’ll need to brush your teeth every time you put your Invisalign back in. Even if you just have a drink, you’ll need to brush your teeth so that your Invisalign and teeth don’t start to stain. You will need to wear your Invisalign anywhere between 6- 18 months. So if you are thinking about invisalign for teens, consider if they can make this sort of commitment.
Invisalign Helps Whiten As Well
A great extra benefit is that Invisalign for teens can help whiten teeth too. This is because the toothpaste and all its good ingredients are held onto your teeth with your Invisalign. So even though the goal is straighter teeth, you could also end up with whiter teeth. However, this can go both ways though. Just like how your aligner can hold good things found in toothpaste on your teeth, they can also hold bad things like acids in food. So be sure to set aside extra time when it comes to your dental routine.
They Work Quicker Than Metal Braces
One of the great things about using Invisalign is that results can be seen quite quickly. And, most people can see changes after a couple of months.
You’ll Need To Adjust Your Speech
One of the only drawbacks of a product such as Invisalign is that it can affect the way you speak. When you first put them on, you are more than likely going to speak with a slight lisp. There’s nothing you can do to prevent this, but you will just have to get used to this and adjust your speech where possible.
You Will Need a Retainer Afterwards
Just like braces, after your Invisalign, you will have to wear a retainer to prevent your teeth from moving again. As well as maintain good oral habits for the rest of your life to ensure that you don’t cause problems down the road with your retainer and your teeth. Also, because your teeth can shift your entire life, consider that you may need to get another Invisalign 20 or 30 years down the road to realign any shifting that has happened.
Gone are the days of embarrassing, bulky braces. Now, with this fairly new method, Invisalign can help make the process of teeth straightening much easier and less painful. If you are interested in finding out more about Invisalign, make an appointment with your orthodontist, where you can ask any other questions you may have.